Fertilizing system and method by extracting nitrogen compounds from combustion exhaust gases

ABSTRACT

A fertilizer system is provided using extraction of nitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients from combustion exhaust gases, and which is particularly suited for use with an agricultural irrigation system or engine driven plant care equipment including self-propelled tractors, mowers and the like. The system includes an exhaust chamber in communication with the motor driving a pump of the system for receiving the exhaust gases therethrough. Water is injected into the exhaust chamber for mixing with the exhaust so that the steam being formed absorbs various nitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients from the surrounding hot exhaust gases. The steam is subsequently condensed in a condensing chamber from which condensate is collected and dispensed into the inlet of the pump with water circulated therethrough. The water is thus enriched with various nitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients absorbed from the exhaust gases before being dispensed to a planted area by an irrigation system or a sprayer attachment on a self-propelled tractor, mower and the like.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for fertilizingusing extraction of nitrogen compounds and plant nutrients fromcombustion exhaust gases, and more particularly to such a system ormethod when used for extracting nitrogen compounds and plant nutrientsfrom exhaust gases, for example, in either an irrigation pump motor ofan agricultural irrigation system for subsequent use of the nitrogencompounds in irrigation water of the irrigation system or in a drivingmotor for driving or propelling plant care equipment includingself-propelled tractors, mowers, sprayers and the like.

BACKGROUND

Various nitrogen compounds and plant nutrients are known to be desirablefor fertilizing various plants, in particular crops. Repeated adding offertilizer to crops however can be time consuming and costly to bothpurchase and distribute to the plants.

While forms of nitrogen are known to exist in large quantities inexhaust gases of combustion engines, these forms of nitrogen however aretypically harmful to the environment and of little use as a fertilizer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,385 to Crutcher describes a greenhouse system inwhich a gas turbine provides heat and power to maintain the greenhouse.An exhaust gas treatment system receives the hot gas from the turbine toremove and convert harmful nitrogen compounds while a fertilizationsystem makes use of the converted nitrogen compounds as fertilizer forfeeding the plants of the greenhouse. The method of extraction describedrefers to European patent application No. 97117779.5. The gas treatmentsystem however requires consumption of an alkaline earth compound toreact with nitric acid which is formed to then form an alkaline earthnitrate in an aqueous form. The resulting calcium nitrate or magnesiumnitrate which may be produced are harmful to the plants and soil whendistributed in excess quantities and accordingly this system wouldrequire careful monitoring so that only limited amounts of thefertilizer compound generated by the gas treatment system are in factdistributed to the plants through irrigation thereof in the greenhouse.This method converts NO_(x) to nitric acid to be scrubbed out with earthalkaline in an aqueous effluent, leaving carbon dioxide in the exhauststream to raise the carbon dioxide levels in the greenhouse.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided afertilizer system for extracting nitrogen compounds and other plantnutrients from exhaust gases of a combustion device, the systemcomprising:

-   -   an exhaust chamber having an inlet and an outlet for receiving        the exhaust gases from the combustion device there through;    -   a water injector for injecting water into the exhaust chamber        for mixing with the exhaust gases to form a water vapor;    -   a condensing chamber for condensing said water vapor exiting the        exhaust chamber with the exhaust gases to form a condensate        solution; and    -   a collector for collecting said condensate solution from the        condensing chamber;    -   characterised in that said condensate solution being formed        comprises water and one or more compounds selected from the        group including nitrate, nitrite and ammonium. Other useful        nutrients to the plants which are extracted include sulphur        phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and carbon dioxide as        a carbonic acid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of fertilizing by extracting nitrogen compounds and other plantnutrients from exhaust gases of a combustion device, the methodcomprising:

-   -   operating a combustion device to produce exhaust gases;    -   directing the exhaust gases through an exhaust chamber in        communication with the combustion device;    -   injecting water into the exhaust chamber for mixing with the        exhaust gases to form a water vapor;    -   condensing said water vapor exiting the exhaust chamber with the        exhaust gases to form a condensate solution comprising water and        one or more compounds selected from the group including nitrate,        nitrite and ammonium; and    -   collecting said condensate solution from the condensing chamber.        Other useful plant nutrients which may be included in the        condensate solution as a result of the above steps include:        sulphur, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and carbon        dioxide as a carbonic acid.

According to further aspects of the present invention there are providedfertilizer solutions comprising the condensate solution formed by thesystem and method noted above.

The use of water and exhaust mixed together and subsequently condensedproduces a solution of water with nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, sulphur,phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and carbon dioxide as acarbonic acid. These are useful to plants when watered therewith withoutconcern of being toxic to the plants when left to operate continuouslyfrom an irrigation pump motor in an irrigation system for example.

As described in our method of extraction, complete conversion to nitricacid is not required as water will scrub out NH₄, NO₂, NO₃, and otherplant nutrients such as sulphur, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron,copper and carbon dioxide as a carbonic acid. This would carry the CO₂to the crop canopy to feed the crop and/or be stored in the soil as acarbon sink. NO₂ (nitrite) will feed soil bacteria and nitrite reductase(NiR) which transforms nitrite to ammonia and the nitrate bacteria willchange nitrites into nitrates. Sulphur dioxide can be used by the cropcanopy. Sulphur converts to sulphate in the soil for root up take whencombined with water in which sulphuric acid is formed

The use of an exhaust chamber in combination with a water injectorpermits nitrogen and nutrients to be readily collected from exhaustgases of commonly available combustion devices, including internalcombustion engines and the like, at minimal cost and effort as thenitrogen compounds available in the exhaust gases are normallyconsidered useless and therefore typically wasted. Collection ofnitrogen compounds and plant nutrients in a condensate is particularlyuseful in an agricultural irrigation system as compounds are ready forimmediate use with little or no effort on the part of the operator ofthe irrigation system. Further benefits to injecting water into theexhaust chamber for mixing with the irrigation water include preheatingthe irrigation water with heat from the exhaust gases and reducingundesirable emissions in the exhaust gases due to the mixing of thegases with water vapor in the exhaust chamber.

There may be provided a distribution system for distributing thecondensate solution to a planted area, for example in irrigation systemor a sprayer attachment on a self-propelled tractor or mower and thelike.

The condensate solution may be fully and continuously diverted to thedistribution system comprising an irrigation system or a sprayer systemon self-propelled equipment as it moves over the crop or area ofapplication.

In a preferred embodiment, only water is added to the exhaust gases toform the condensate solution.

The combustion device may comprise an internal combustion engine,however other devices known to consume fossil fuels to produce productsof combustion may be useful in certain instances.

The distribution system in a first embodiment comprises plant careequipment, for example a self-propelled tractor or mower, such that thecombustion device comprises an engine driving the plant care equipment.

Alternatively, the distribution system comprises a crop irrigationsystem, wherein the collector is coupled to communicate with an inlet ofan irrigation pump for dispensing the condensate solution intoirrigation water passing through the irrigation pump. The combustiondevice in this instance would comprise a motor driving the irrigationpump.

The water injector may be coupled to an outlet of the irrigation pumpwhereby the water injected into the exhaust chamber comprises a portionof the water pumped by the irrigation pump.

The condensing chamber may include a condenser core which is cooled byirrigation water passing therethrough or other heat exchanger equipment.

There may be provided a shut-off valve coupled in series between thecollector and the distribution system which is arranged to be open onlywhen the distribution system is operating.

The water injector may include a float valve coupled in seriestherewith, the float valve being supported in the condensing chambersuch that the water injector is arranged to inject water into theexhaust chamber in response to a level of condensate in the condensingchamber falling below a prescribed level of condensate.

There may be provided a catalytic converter coupled to an inlet of theexhaust chamber for receiving the exhaust gases therethrough prior tothe exhaust chamber. The type of catalyst depends on type of fuel usedor desired oxidation.

There may be provided an air pump for injecting air into the exhaustgases near the water injector to assist in converting harmful emissionsto more desirable compounds.

There may be provided high voltage arc means for generating an electricarc in a passage through which the exhaust gases pass also to assist inconverting harmful emissions to more desirable compounds.

There may be provided an electrical field generator surrounding apassage through which the exhaust gases pass or a portion of water fromthe injector may be diverted to an electrolysis device before injectioninto the exhaust gases for injecting hydrogen and oxygen into theexhaust gases to further promote conversion of harmful emissions to moredesirable compounds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the fertilizer system for extraction ofnitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients as it is used in anirrigation system.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram illustrating the method in which nitrogenand other plant nutrients are extracted from combustion gases in anirrigation system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the fertilizer system for extraction ofnitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients as it is used in plant careequipment driven by an internal combustion engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated afertilizer system generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Thesystem is particularly suited for as an extraction system for nitrogencompounds and other plant nutrients from combustion exhaust gases. Thephrase “nitrogen compounds” is understood in this specification toinclude any nitrogen related compounds including nitrous oxide (N₂O),nitrite (NO₂), nitrate (NO₃), ammonium (NH₄) and other aqueous ornon-aqueous compounds containing nitrogen which may be known to havebenefits for fertilizing plants. Other nutrients extracted are sulphur,phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and carbon dioxide as acarbonic acid.

The system 10 includes a pump 14 for pumping water from a source 16 ofwater used for distributing water to crops and plants. The pump isdriven by a motor 18 which typically comprises an internal combustionengine consuming commonly available fossil fuels, for example gasoline,natural gas, propane or diesel fuel and the like.

While various embodiments are described and illustrated herein, thecommon features of each will first be described herein. The pump 14includes an inlet 20 and an outlet 22. The inlet is coupled to a suctionline 24 in communication with the water source 16 while the outletcommunicates with an outlet pressure line 26 which directs the water toa distribution system for an area to be irrigated or watered.

The fertilizer system 10 includes an exhaust chamber 28 which is similarin construction to a conventional automotive muffler in the illustratedembodiment. The exhaust chamber is a sealed chamber having an inletopening 30 at a top end and an outlet opening 32 at a bottom endthereof. An inlet pipe 34 connects the inlet at the top of the exhaustchamber 28 in communication with the exhaust of the motor 18 of theirrigation system. The inlet pipe 34 includes a downwardly extendingportion 36 which extends downwardly into the exhaust chamber 28 after anelbow 38 redirecting the inlet pipe from the motor. The exhaust chamberfurther includes internal baffles 40 which redirect the exhaust passingtherethrough from the inlet pipe 34 to an outlet pipe 42 which isaxially misaligned with the inlet pipe. As in a conventional automotivemuffler the exhaust must pass through various baffles 40 and possiblythrough perforations in the respective inlet and outlet pipes in orderto navigate through the exhaust chamber.

A catalytic converter 44 is coupled in series with the inlet pipebetween the motor 18 and the exhaust chamber 28 so that exhaust gasespass through the catalytic converter prior to entering the exhaustchamber. The catalytic converter acts as a catalyst for the hot exhaustgases from the motor to react some of the compounds within the exhaustgases. The catalytic converter may be removed depending upon thedesirable nitrogen compounds which are to be extracted and dependingupon the particular application, the type of motor 18 and the type offuel being consumed.

A water injector 46 is provided for injecting water into the hot exhaustgases as it enters the exhaust chamber 28. The water injector is coupledto the downwardly extending portion 36 of the inlet pipe to preventbackflow of injected water to the motor 18 of the pump. The water issprayed into the exhaust chamber for mixing with the hot exhaust gasesto be converted to steam before exiting through the outlet pipe. Thewater injector 46 receives water from the outlet pressure line 26 towhich it is coupled so as to receive pressurized water from the pumpoutlet to be injected into the exhaust chamber by an injector line 64.

The outlet pipe of the exhaust chamber 28 feeds into a condensingchamber 48 where the mixture of water vapor or steam and hot exhaustgases form condensate in the form of water enriched with nitrogencompounds and other plant nutrients. The condensing chamber 48 generallycomprises a barrel or drum having an inlet pipe 50 extending downwardlyinto the barrel at a top end thereof to which the outlet pipe of theexhaust chamber is coupled. The condensing chamber further includes anexhaust opening 52 at the top end thereof. A condenser core 54 isprovided within the condensing chamber which spans the walls of thechamber between the open end of the inlet pipe 50 and the exhaustopening 52. The condenser core includes passages therethrough forcirculating a cooling fluid to assist in the condensation process. Inthe illustrated embodiment the cooling fluid comprises water which iscirculated from the outlet pressure line 26.

A collector line 56 couples to a drain 58 at a bottom end of thecondensing chamber. The collector line 56 is coupled at an opposite endto the suction line 24 adjacent the inlet of the pump 14 so thatcondensate collected from the condensing chamber by the collector line56 is drawn into the inlet of the pump with the irrigation water fromthe source 16 to be subsequently distributed by the outlet pressure lineto a distribution system.

A shut-off valve 60 is coupled in series with the collector line 56between the condensing chamber 48 and the suction line 24 to selectivelyinterrupt flow of condensate through the collector line. The shut-offvalve 60 includes a suitable controller for opening the valve 60 onlywhen the pump motor 18 is operating so that the shut-off valve 60 isclosed when the motor is not in operation to prevent leakage ofcondensate into the suction line.

A float valve 62 is supported within the condensing chamber 48 and iscoupled in series with the injector line 64 coupling the water injectorto the irrigation pressure line. The float valve is arranged to beopened only when a level of condensate within the condensing chamberfalls below a prescribed level so that in the instance when the levelfalls below the prescribed level, the water injector 46 injects water toraise the condensate level. Once sufficient condensate collects withinthe condenser above the prescribed level, the float valve 62 closes toprevent further water being injected into the exhaust chamber. The floatvalve 62 ensures that condensate level remains above the drain 58 andcorresponding collector line 56 to prevent air from being drawn into thesuction line of the pump.

The fertilizer system 10 is first started by operating the pump 14 usingthe pump motor 18. The motor draws in intake air from the surroundingair which is approximately 78% nitrogen in the form N₂. The high heat ofcombustion in combination with the compression and ignition within theengine converts the nitrogen to useable forms of nitrogen compounds, forexample nitrous oxides (NO_(x)). The hot exhaust gases exit the motorand pass into the exhaust chamber 28 at which point the water injector46 sprays water into the hot stream of exhaust gases entering downwardlyinto the exhaust chamber to form steam in the exhaust chamber whichabsorbs and collects nitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients fromthe hot exhaust gases forming various nitrogen compounds in solutionwith the water vapor. The condensate which then forms in the condensingchamber 48 includes such compounds as NO₂, NO₃, NH₄, sulphur,phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and carbon dioxide as acarbonic acid. As noted above the water level within the condensingchamber is controlled by the float valve to inject water from the outletpressure line as required to maintain condensate level above theprescribed level. As long as the motor of the pump remains in operation,the shut-off valve 60 remains open so that condensate from thecondensing chamber is sucked through the collector line 56 into thesuction line 24 of the pump to subsequently fertilize an area, uponwhich the enriched water is dispersed, with nitrogen compounds and plantnutrients carried by the water. By passing the exhaust through theadditional catalytic converter before entering the exhaust chamber, thetype or quantity of desirable nitrogen compounds can be increased in thecondensate which later forms as different types of exhaust gases areconverted as required depending upon the type of combustion device andthe type of fuel being combusted.

The system 10 is particularly useful in combination with or as aretrofit kit for conversion of an agricultural irrigation system 12 orself propelled equipment 100 to enrich water to be fed to the plantmaterial in association therewith while reducing harmful emissions ofthe engine/motor 18.

When used in an irrigation system 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1, theengine 18 comprises an existing engine of the irrigation system used todrive the existing pump 14 of the irrigation system for pumping waterfrom a source in the form of irrigation water collected for a crop orplants to be irrigated.

When used on self propelled equipment 100, as illustrated in FIG. 3, theengine 18 comprises an existing engine of the equipment for propellingor driving the equipment, for example a sprayer or mower engine, whichis supported on wheels 101 for rolling movement along the ground. Thesource 16 of water in this instance comprises a portable tank carried bythe equipment or towed by the equipment on a trailer. The destination ofthe enriched water is a sprayer type distribution system also carried bythe equipment 100.

Turning now to FIG. 3 in greater detail, additional control systems maybe included for co-operation with the components noted above with regardto common features of both embodiments. To improve efficiency of thewater scrubbing by injector 46, the injector 46 may include a pluralityof nozzles 102 at plural spaced positions along the exhaust passagebetween the engine and the exhaust chamber. The plurality of nozzlesserve to inject water at plural spaced positions more evenly and moregradually to ensure more thorough mixing of the products of combustionwith the water vapour produced by the heat of the exhaust. Part of thewater provided to the injector 46 may also be directed to anelectrolysis device 104 which produced hydrogen and oxygen byelectrolysis for injection into the exhaust with the water to furtheraid in the conversion process of nitrous oxides to useful nitrite andnitrate compounds. A set of high voltage electrodes 106 can also bepositioned within the exhaust passage extending between the engine andthe exhaust chamber to produce to a corona or high voltage arc betweenthe electrodes which provides energy to assist in desirable chemicalreactions taking place to promote more favourable products ofcombustion. An electrical field generator may also be provided whichsurrounds the exhaust passage. Additional air to assist in theconversion of various nitrous oxide compounds to desirable nitrite,nitrate and ammonia is provided by an air pump 108 also driven by theengine 18.

To provide more precise control of the fluid levels within the condenserchamber, the condenser chamber may include an auxiliary chamber 110 ormay simply be enlarged to house further controls therein. The auxiliarychamber 110 is coupled to the condensate chamber so that levels ofcondensate are maintained at the same level within each. The float valve62 can thus be mounted in either chamber in communication with thecondensate for similar operation of water passing through the injectorline 64 to the injector 46 when condensate levels fall below aprescribed level. An additional float valve 112 is provided in theauxiliary chamber 110 in series with the collector line 56 where thecollector line couples to the drain 58 of the condensate chamber topermit condensate to be dispensed into the collector line only when thefloat valve 112 is opened as a result of condensate levels within thecondensate and auxiliary chambers being above a prescribed level. Thisconfiguration ensures that in the event of a lack of condensate forwhatever reason, the collector line will not draw air into the pump ifthe pump is permitted to continue operating by the engine 18.

The system 10 operates on the equipment 100 in a similar manner ofoperation as the irrigation system by drawing water from a tank carriedon the equipment through the pump to a distribution system of theequipment which may comprise sprayer nozzles and the like for dispensingthe water onto a field or planted area. The pump is driven by anexisting engine 18 of the equipment, for example the engine driving themower blades or propelling a mower or sprayer for movement across theground. Water is re-circulated and mixed with the exhaust gases in themanner described above so that desirable nutrients in the form ofnitrite, nitrate and ammonium, sulphur, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc,iron, copper and carbon dioxide as a carbonic acid are dispensed to theplanted area while harmful emissions in the exhaust gases are reduced.

In an irrigation system the source of water may comprise a lagoon or thelike which feeds water through the system as described above forsubsequently being dispersed to the irrigation area. The engine 18 inthis instance preferably comprises an existing engine driving theirrigation pump of the irrigation system. In either instance thefertilizer system is preferably operated to run continuously while theengine is running with all of the condensate being fully diverted intothe water to be dispersed over the planted area. Only water ispreferably added, with air being optionally added to the existingproducts of combustion of the internal combustion engine 18 to provide asystem which is simple to operate which obtains benefits from otherwiseharmful and useless products of combustion.

Further benefits of the use of water injected into an exhaust chamber asdescribed above include the pre-heating of irrigation water and controlof emission gases from the combustion device. The addition of water tothe exhaust gases is beneficial to the environment because theinteraction of water with the hot exhaust gases causes some undesirableemissions to be converted to less harmful compounds that are lessdamaging to the environment and because the system requires noadditional energy consumption other than the use of equipment whichwould otherwise already be in operation.

When the water injected into the exhaust chamber comprises irrigationwater which is returned to the irrigation pump, the exhaust chamber actsas a heat exchanger to recover waste heat from the exhaust gases topreheat the irrigation water. Preheating the irrigation water is ofbenefit so that cold source water, for example from a river, providesless thermal shock to irrigated plants which would normally be warmerthan the source water.

While some embodiments of the present invention have been described inthe foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments arepossible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to beconsidered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A fertilizer system for extracting nitrogen compounds and other plantnutrients from exhaust gases of a combustion device, the systemcomprising: an exhaust chamber having an inlet and an outlet forreceiving the exhaust gases from the combustion device therethrough; awater injector for injecting water into the exhaust chamber for mixingwith the exhaust gases to form a water vapor; a condensing chamber forcondensing said water vapor exiting the exhaust chamber with the exhaustgases to form a condensate solution; and a collector for collecting saidcondensate solution from the condensing chamber; characterised in thatsaid condensate solution being formed comprises water and one or morecompounds selected from the group including nitrate, nitrite andammonium.
 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein there is provided adistribution system for distributing the condensate solution to aplanted area.
 3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the condensatesolution is fully diverted to the distribution system.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 2 wherein the condensate solution is continuouslydiverted to the distribution system.
 5. The system according to claim 1wherein only water is added to the exhaust gases to form the condensatesolution.
 6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the combustiondevice comprises an internal combustion engine.
 7. The system accordingto claim 2 wherein the distribution system comprises a plant careequipment and wherein the combustion device comprises an engine drivingthe plant care equipment.
 8. The system according to claim 7 wherein theplant care equipment comprises a mower.
 9. The system according to claim2 wherein the distribution system comprises a crop irrigation system andwherein the collector is coupled to communicate with an inlet of anirrigation pump for dispensing the condensate solution into irrigationwater passing through the irrigation pump, the combustion devicecomprising a motor driving the irrigation pump.
 10. The system accordingto claim 9 wherein the water injector is coupled to an outlet of theirrigation pump whereby the water injected into the exhaust chambercomprises a portion of the water pumped by the irrigation pump.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 9 wherein the condensing chamber includes acondenser core which is cooled by irrigation water passing therethrough.12. The system according to claim 2 wherein there is provided a shut-offvalve coupled in series between the collector and the distributionsystem which is arranged to be open only when the distribution system isoperating.
 13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the waterinjector includes a float valve coupled in series therewith, the floatvalve being supported in the condensing chamber such that the waterinjector is arranged to inject water into the exhaust chamber inresponse to a level of condensate in the condensing chamber fallingbelow a prescribed level of condensate.
 14. The system according toclaim 1 wherein there is provided a catalytic converter coupled to aninlet of the exhaust chamber for receiving the exhaust gasestherethrough prior to the exhaust chamber.
 15. The system according toclaim 1 wherein there is provided an air pump for injecting air into theexhaust gases near the water injector.
 16. The system according to claim1 wherein there is provided high voltage arc means for generating anelectric arc in a passage through which the exhaust gases pass.
 17. Thesystem according to claim 1 wherein there is provided an electricalfield generator surrounding a passage through which the exhaust gasespass.
 18. The system according to claim 1 wherein a portion of waterfrom the injector is diverted to an electrolysis device before injectioninto the exhaust gases for injecting hydrogen and oxygen into theexhaust gases.
 19. The system according to claim 1 wherein thecondensate solution includes nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, sulphur,phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and carbon dioxide as acarbonic acid.
 20. A method of fertilizing by extracting nitrogencompounds and other plant nutrients from exhaust gases of a combustiondevice, the method comprising: operating a combustion device to produceexhaust gases; directing the exhaust gases through an exhaust chamber incommunication with the combustion device; injecting water into theexhaust chamber for mixing with the exhaust gases to form a water vapor;condensing said water vapor exiting the exhaust chamber with the exhaustgases to form a condensate solution comprising water and one or morecompounds selected from the group including nitrate, nitrite andammonium; and collecting said condensate solution from the condensingchamber.
 21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the condensatesolution includes nitrate, nitrite ammonium, sulphur, phosphorus,magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and carbon dioxide as a carbonic acid. 22.The method according to claim 20 wherein the combustion device comprisesa motor of an irrigation pump of an agricultural irrigation system andwherein the method includes dispensing condensate from the condensingchamber into irrigation water being pumped through the irrigation pump.23. The method according to claim 20 wherein injecting water into theexhaust chamber comprises directing a portion of the irrigation waterbeing pumped through the irrigation pump into the exhaust chamber. 24.The method according to claim 20 including fully diverting thecondensate solution for distribution to a designated planted area. 25.The method according to claim 20 including only adding water to theexhaust gases to form the condensate solution.
 26. The method accordingto claim 20 wherein the combustion device comprises an engine drivingplant care equipment.
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)